This past month has been a time of reflection for me. A time when I really thought about what truly makes me happy. With all sorts of turmoil churning around us in this day and age, and this incredible country, it's so easy to get discouraged. SO easy.
So, in an effort to be more positive (especially around this time of year), I've made a list of things that make me feel happy and grateful.
Who cares about warring news stations and reality T.V.?? I could watch Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray for hours! (And I DO watch them for hours. My brother gave me seasons 3, 4 and 5 of NCIS for Christmas. Woo-Hoo!!!) Don't get me wrong, I'm all about keeping up with current events; but let's be honest, NCIS makes me happy.
AAHHHH. The beach. The beach makes me happy. Especially if the sun is high and the sand is warm. This shot was taken almost 5 years ago in Laie, on Oahu, Hawaii. We truly live in an amazing country - I feel incredibly blessed to be able to experience a few things that the world has to offer, like sun, sand and water - and shave ice from Matsumotos. MMMMMM.
Coke with lime. Preferably from the Blue Iguana in Downtown SLC. Now, I could drink it all day every day and die happy. Of course, if that's all I ate or drank, I'd die young. But OH, I'd be happy! If it were medically safe (and sanitary), I'd drag an IV full of this stuff around with me.
Chocolate. Chocolate milkshakes, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Ritter Sport chocolate, chocolate macadamias, hot chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate milk, chocolate cream pies, chocolate oranges, chocolate cherries. Just thinking about chocolate makes me happy!
My family makes me happy. My parents, wacky brothers, incredible sisters, wonderful uncles and aunts, and the most awesome cousins ever. I LOVE my family, more than I could ever express! And I really shouldn't play favorites, but - I guess I can say that I have a favorite niece! She puts a big smile on my face and melts my heart whenever I see her. I would do anything for this kid.
The temple makes me happy. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to go to the temple and serve every week. The gratitude I feel every time I walk in the doors is overwhelming. It makes me so happy to know that families can be together forever, thanks to temples, and I am so thankful for the Gospel in my life. I wish I could adequately express how much I love the temple, the Gospel, and the Book of Mormon. 
What makes me happiest of all, is my Savior, Jesus Christ. My whole life, I've been taught about His birth, His life and ministry, the Atonement, and His crucifixion. But the older I get, the more it means to me. The more I study the Book of Mormon, the more I learn about Him. I was listening to some of the words to "O Holy Night" and they really got to me: "Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love, and the gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother; and in His name, all oppression shall cease." Indeed, His law IS love, and the Gospel is peace. And I've found that THAT is where true happiness lies. :)Happy New Year, everyone!!!
